Home furnishings markets continue to shuffle dates
High Point, Las Vegas, Tupelo adjust timing
Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 18, 2008
HIGH POINT — In recent years the top three U.S. home furnishings markets have shifted dates, each trying to find the sweet spot to draw exhibitors and buyers. Here's a summary of what each has done.
• For decades was held in April and October, officially opening on a Thursday.
• In fall 2006, the opening day was changed to a Monday, Oct. 16.
• In 2007, shifted to a slightly earlier schedule, opening on March 26 and Oct. 1. Reverted to a more traditional timing in 2008, opening April 7 and Oct. 20, but stuck with the Monday opening.
• In 2009, will move to a Saturday opening and shorten each market by a day, to six days. Opening dates are April 25 and Oct. 17.
• High Point continues to hold a premarket, at which several dozen exhibitors show prototypes of new product to buyers, a month before each market.
• Stuck with late January and late July dates since its inception in July 2005, but will switch next year to Feb. 9-13 and Sept. 14-17. Markets have been five days but will shorten to four starting in September 2009.
• Traditionally held in February and August. Opened on Thursday until February 2006, when it shifted to Wednesday. Changed back to Thursday in August 2008.
• Tupelo's winter market moved to a Jan. 10 opening in 2007 but went back to late February this year.
• Next year, will shift to a Saturday-Wednesday schedule, Jan. 24-28 and (tentatively) Aug. 15-19.
